The visionary behind the Apple Watch and Vision Pro has crafted an innovative vehicle that defies modern tech trends. Launched on June 25, 2026, in Lisbon, the Amble One is an electric buggy with no screens or doors, boasting a modest speed of 65 kph (40 mph). Spearheaded by Julian Hoenig, along with Adrien Roose of Cowboy e-bikes and Michael Tropper from forpeople studio, this 450 kg (992 lbs) marvel redefines simplicity and elegance in design.
The Amble One’s specifications challenge the norm: an 11 kWh lithium-ion battery paired with a 15 kW motor ensures over 100 km (62 miles) in range. Measuring 3,200mm long, 1,480mm wide, and 1,850mm tall, it features 28-inch wheels with independent suspension. Rather than competing with ordinary cars, the Amble One sets out to do something entirely different.
Design aligned with nature
Using aluminum, leather, cotton, and cork, Amble One eschews synthetic materials typical of lightweight EVs. “We designed Amble One holistically, shaping the details, textures, materials and even the sounds,” said Michael Tropper. The aim is timeless aging rather than typical depreciation, aligning more with the ethos of slow design akin to fine furniture.
Reimagining the driving space
With an open-sided design, the Amble One connects occupants with their environment. “No doors to close you in, no unnecessary screens to pull you away,” Julian Hoenig emphasizes. This contrasts starkly with Jony Ive’s high-tech Ferrari Luce. Instead, Hoenig steers toward a user experience grounded in tactile and auditory sensation.
Built for hospitality
Targeting luxury resorts like Amangiri in Canyon Point and Six Senses Les Bordes, the Amble One caters to hospitality needs with its adaptability to unpaved tracks and low-speed terrains. This strategic market entry will test its durability in controlled environments ahead of the 2028 consumer launch.
Legacy of thoughtful design
With José António Uva’s experience in estate restoration and Adrien Roose’s influence from Cowboy bikes, Amble One prioritizes user experience and material quality over feature abundance. Positioned between utility vehicles and luxury cars at a starting price of €20,000 / $25,000, it seeks to carve out a unique market niche.
The Amble One doesn’t just invite you to look at the future of electric vehicles—it compels you to rethink mobility’s role. With a challenge to the norm, it proposes that sometimes less is indeed more. “When you slow down, the world opens up,” says Tropper. As 2028 approaches, the Amble One awaits to test the market’s readiness for its visionary simplicity.
For more inspiration on transforming old designs into new art forms, explore Toon Joosen’s retro mashup art that merges past aesthetics with whimsical creativity.
In a similar vein, the Game Boy revival showcases how retro design can integrate advanced technology effectively.
Sources & Links
Source: urdesignmag.com